Banner image courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration At the close of 2018 after 30+ years of flouting international law, Japan has announced that it is set to leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and recommence commercial whaling in the summer 2019, within Japan’s ‘own waters:’ “Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga …
Ivory and Rhino Horn
United Kingdom After the United Kingdom government’s Ivory Consultation, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) response to the recent ivory consultation is welcomed – “Banning UK sales of ivory – Summary of responses and government response,” dated April 2018. Update, 25 May 2018: “Prohibiting the commercial dealing …
“Ivory Towers”
“Ivory Towers – An Assessment of Japan’s Ivory Trade and Domestic Market,” TRAFFIC, December 2017 TRAFFIC reports that Japan’s on-going ivory trading is undermining China’s proposed ivory ban, fuelling demand and the poaching of elephants: “Japan remains one of the world’s largest domestic ivory markets, and is home to an active, …
The Good, the Bad and the Endangered: Wildlife Wins and Losses at CITES Standing Committee
Banner image courtesy of the Environmental Investigation Agency The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has reported from the 69th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee (SC69) in Geneva, Switzerland. What is striking is the level of prevarication evident within CITES – endless further reporting needed when the negative facts are already documented and …
Pouring cold water on ‘sustainable use’
Banner Image: African Elephant – Gary Stolz Opinion piece by Chris Mercer – Campaign Against Canned Hunting This blog criticises a letter sent to the Chinese government by well-known hunting apologist Eugene Lapointe [CITES Secretary-General (1982 – 1990), now World Conservation Trust (IWMC) President]. After wrapping himself in a cloak …
Ivory Trading in Europe
The European Commission has an on-line survey on ivory trading within the European Union (EU) – the survey runs until 8 December 2017. To highlight the issues with ivory trading and ivory transiting through Europe, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) issued a report “Ivory Seizures in Europe, 2006 …
UK Ivory Consultation
On 6 October 2017, the United Kingdom Government (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)) launched a consultation on ivory – “Ban UK Sales of Ivory” – with an Online Survey at the foot of the link page. The consultation period ends on 29 December 2017 – so add …
Unmanageable Animal Exploitation
An insatiable demand side knows no bounds. This is especially true when it originates from an increasingly wealthy Chinese/Vietnamese population of 1.8bn and China’s economic might seems to crush any dissenting voices questioning that demand. Even when China does bow to international pressure, such as seeking to shut down its domestic …
Ivory Markets in Central Africa
“Ivory Markets in Central Africa,” TRAFFIC, September 2017 The introduction this TRAFFIC report highlights some key elements in the historical persecution of elephants for their tusks (and a detailed study of Central African regions with market surveys of trade in ivory). Of particular note, is the negative aspect trade …
Ivory Trade in The United Kingdom
Banner Image “Elaborately Carved Tusks” Courtesy of Kate Wong UK Petition – “Shut down the domestic ivory market in the UK“ The United Kingdom Ivory Trade – Should there be a blanket ban on all ivory trading? Let’s take a look at the high end of the ‘legal’ antique ivory trade. Figure …